Redemption Run

Chapter 23

The Cleanser was standing in front of the throne, passively. Easton seemed manic.

"How are you still alive?!" Easton yelled, but silenced himself quickly when the Cleanser raised a hand.

"So, you were waiting for me?" I asked as I slowly walked forward, keeping my sword out and ready. Baugh and Jagos stayed back, just like I told them.

"Of course I was." the Cleanser said, "Killing you is a far too difficult task, Riley Newman."

"Do you mean that emotionally, or physically?" I asked, "Or both, both works too."

"Are you trying to be clever?" the Cleanser asked.

"Nah, just thinking of something Katie might've said," I said, "Katie, you remember her, right? Our friend?"

"Your friend." said the Cleanser, "I have never had a friend."

"That's not true and you know it," I said, "Rhys, I know you're still there."

"How many times are you going to make that mistake?" the Cleanser said, "There is no Rhys, not anymore. She is gone, forever."

"We'll see about that." I said, "I'll get her back if I have to beat you out of her."

"You cannot stop me, Riley Newman," said the Cleanser, "I must cleanse this despair-filled world. It is my one and only destiny."

"Destiny is all bullshit," I said, "Even if it isn't, we can all choose whether or not we want to follow it. You could have made a different choice this whole time."

"I do not believe that for a second," said the Cleanser, "From the moment I was born, I was set to destroy."

"That's not true." I said, "Because you want to die, don't you?"

For the first time since it revealed itself, the Cleanser seemed surprised. At the very least, its face changed from the usual stoic expression for once.

"Rhys didn't remember leaving Felice's necklace behind," I said, "And if that's the case, then it could have only been... you. You left me the pendant that would come to be the downfall of the Requiem Run."

"Ridiculous!" Easton said as he stepped forward, "That couldn't possibly - "

"Very clever, Riley," said the Cleanser, "And absolutely correct."

Easton stopped talking mid-sentence.

"I believed in you," the Cleanser said, "I thought you could finally end the suffering, bring along something better. But my return has proven that was wrong, and I must do my duty."

I drew my sword as I said, "Well then, I have to stop you, and that's my duty."

The Cleanser didn't make a sound. Then, out of nowhere, it turned and grabbed Easton by the throat, lifting him into the air. The emperor's eyes widened, but only for a second before the Cleanser threw him across the room into the wall above the double doors. Easton slammed hard enough to leave a crack in the wall, then crumpled down in front of the doors in a heap.

"This is between the two of us," the Cleanser said, "I will have no one interrupt."

"That works just fine for me." I said, "It's time to finish this."

The Cleanser produced two swords from thin air and dual weld them, brandishing them at me.

"Indeed." the Cleanser said, and then it charged me.

Felice's response was just as quick, parrying the attack just before either sword could connect with me. The cleanser didn't even look like it was trying to back up or block our counterattack, moving so nonchalantly, yet gracefully to block every single attack Felice and I launched.